The reasonable view was to believe in spontaneous generation; the only alternative, to believe in a single, primary act of supernatural creation. There is no third position. For this reason many scientists a century ago chose to regard the belief in spontaneous generation as a "philosophical necessity." It is a symptom of the philosophical poverty of our time that this necessity is no longer appreciated. Most modern biologists, having reviewed with satisfaction the downfall of the spontaneous generation hypothesis, yet unwilling to accept the alternative belief in special creation, are left with nothing. "The origin of life" Scientific American August 1954 p.46
Two for Tuesday:
Mao Tse-tung: "Chinese socialism is founded upon Darwin and the theory of evolution." Kampf um Mao's Erbe (1977)
Rhiggs,
>>Call me pedantic, but shouldn't a series of posts called "God Quote of the Day" feature quotes about God, and be posted every day?
OK pedantic, you're right, I will call it "Worldview Quote" instead. I hope that appeases the logic gods. Forgive me.